Cinderella

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

Ally never was a wonderful dancer, but that never stopped her. When she was younger her favorite thing was to spin around the house to the radio. She was and still is a care free spirit I am proud to call my daughter.

She, growing up, was a huge daddies girl, and I'm sure that was due to the fact her mother wasn't ever around. I was her best friend, and most importantly her dance partner.

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you
Here's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing

Even on days where it's been constant work at the store, and I go home knowing I'll just have more paper work, I'm still always greeted by Ally in a tutu running up and jumping in my arms.

She would pull at my arm and tell me that there's a ball at Cinderella's castle and she was invited. She always wanted me to practice her dancing with me.

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone.

I never said no when she asked me to dance. I knew one day she'd grow up and no longer want to be in her dad's arms. I knew she'd find prince charming, and he'd be the one she shared her dances with. So I cherished moment I had. Because I knew something her boyfriends didn't, I knew that she would still even in her teens spin around dancing in her carefree way.

So as long as I had her I wouldn't miss a single beat, because I knew soon enough my Cinderella would be all grown up and gone.

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancin'
"Oh please, daddy , please!"

"Dad, I just know you'll love Austin when you meet him. He's such a sweet heart, and you'd be so impressed by his musical talent." she said rambling about her newest boyfriend. But something was different about this Austin fella. Her eyes lit up at his name, and I could tell my baby was in love.

She came down later that day in a beautiful red gown. It made her look so grown up, so beautiful it almost brought me to tears.

"Daddy do you like my dress?" she asked smiling at me.

"You look beautiful darling." I said kissing her head. "My baby's all grown up."

"Oh daddy don't be said. The prom starts soon, and I want to practice my dancing so I don't embarrass myself in front of Austin. Will you please dance with me daddy?" she begged.

"Of course sweet heart." I said. And one more time we danced in circles in the living room, and for a moment she was my little girl again.

But she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says, "Dad the wedding's still six months away but I need to practice my dancin'
"Oh please, daddy , please!"

I knew the day she came home smiling bigger than I'd ever seen before it was the day I'd loose her.

"Daddy I'm marrying Austin." she said hugging me and showing me her ring. We have to work hard on planning we want to do it this summer before we leave for New York, so we only have 6 months. We really want you to play at the wedding. We have so much planned dad, I just know you're going to love Austin being in the family." She said litteraly glowing as she talked about the boy who stole my Cinderella.

"Dad can you help me with my dancing one more time?" she asked when she noticed my distant look as I thought of loosing my only child.

"Always." I smiled.

Soon enough came and I was watching her dance with someone else, watching her dance with Austin at their wedding, and I'd never felt more love for my daughter than right then. I knew Austin was the one for her, and I was proud to call him my son in law. I was happy that she had someone that made her so happy to dance with now, but I still held close the days she'd run to me in her tutu wanting to practice her dance for the ball.